Ad-Swap White Paper

I had a few subscribers asking how I’m getting others to build my mailing list, so I put together a White Paper on using Ad-swaps to leverage the mojo of your competitors and allies. This is a sample chapter from that report.

You can download the entire report with unlimited giveaway rights for free at the end of this post.

What is an Ad-swap?

Ad-Swap White Paper pdfAn Ad-swap is a mini JV where you find somebody with a similar (or complimentary) business within your niche and agree to share your subscribers. But you don’t just give away your database of subscribers because besides being illegal, it just isn’t cool. And email marketing is all about being cool and respecting your community. Instead, you both agree to send an email to your community promoting each others site.

Because the traffic comes from a personal recommendation, I’ve seen optin rates as high as 83.4% on some of my pages. It’s the perfect way to leverage somebody else’s Mojo and step into the place where your target audience is already hanging out.

The beauty of ad-swaps is that you don’t need your own product and you can use a simple 3 page website to get started. In fact if you just use single optin, you can get away with just 2 pages.

How Can I Find Ad-Swap Partners?

If you’re in a specific niche like golf or weight-loss, the best way to find partners is by contacting product owners directly. (email, facebook, twitter, forums, telephone, skype).

But if you are in the IM space, there are several awesome resources to get started:

My favourite is Safe-swaps because it’s totally automated and it’s super simple to learn how the process works and to find partners to swap with. The only drawback is the slight lag time between accepting the swap and getting it set up, but if you batch process your swaps a week in advance, you should be able to get it all done in a couple of 15 minute sessions each week.

Dimitry has recently been adding some awesome new features to the site to keep improving it. I love to see a developer listen to his customers and continue to tweak the site as it grows – it shows a real commitment to providing an awesome solution. And caring.

2. I also use a private skype group which is invite only. It’s perfect for chatting too so you get to work the mojo a bit more. And it’s very good for quick last-minute swaps if you have some empty slots. To get involved in the group, you need to be invited but if you drop me a line, I should be able to get you in. My skype name is published in my member profile at Safe-swaps.

3. Talk to people. If you find somebody who you like to swap with, ask them to recommend other people who they’ve swapped with before. Ask at offline events.

15 Ways to  Swap like a Pro

The get the most out of this stuff and make the best use of your time, follow these simple steps.

  1. Have a slick, smooth and well-oiled optin process (optin-confirm-thankyou) and make sure you include a paid offer in the funnel.

  2. Make an awesome & original offer. Too many people use the same PLR or affiliate offer so you have to stand out. I find that software has a really high value and helps you stand out. If you do decide to use PLR products, customise them to make them original – change the graphics, add some bonuses etc.

  3. Only promote a site that you love. Never recommend a poor resource just to increase the size of your list. But sending your subscribers to an Awesome resource will actually build YOUR credibility and trust.

  4. Track your clicks. It’s important that you monitor how many clicks you give AND receive. An easy way to do it is with the tracker links available inside TE toolbox (although TE toolbox is designed for traffic exchange users – the “tracker” function is perfect for monitoring email ads and you can even use it to track conversions through the sales process right to the thankyou page).

  5. If you use Safe-swaps tracking clicks is part of the automation so you can check the clicks right inside your dashboard.

  6. Keep it simple – use a plain looking site that simply states the offer and includes an optin form. Avoid tacky graphics with dollar bills flying out of computer screens. Those sites have never been cool and it’s such a hype-driven metaphor. Stay classy. Here’s an example of one of my funnels.

  7. Be organised. Write 2 or 3 sample emails that your partner can choose from and be sure to include the unique tracking link for each new adswap.

  8. Be courteous – never even expect a response from somebody, let alone a positive one. We are all busy and there is a chance that if they don’t respond, they didn’t even see your message. (That’s why I like Safe-swaps and Skype).

  9. Keep a diary. Take notes of who you swapped with, how successful it was and any other notes that will help you improve. Record which ads were most effective, who you’d like to swap with again and why, in addition to those that didn’t work out so well. Use the Pareto principle to repeat the stuff that works and gives the greatest results. Ditch the stuff that’s not worth the effort.

  10. Make it easy for your swap partner and give them a reason to mail for you. Make the process simple and fast by providing as much as you can upfront to avoid emails back and forth.

  11. When organizing an ad-swap, include a link to your offer.

  12. Include a direct link to your download page so they can check your product

  13. Include your sample emails so they can go ahead and get set up without having to contact you again (make sure you include the right tracking link).

  14. If you have an affiliate program, offer commissions – that’s an added incentive and if the offer converts, they will mail again and again as an affiliate, without expecting another email in return.

  15. Be cool. Sometimes you’ll have problems. Somebody might forget to mail out or could have a problem with their autoreponder. Sometimes you’ll make mistakes and forget to mail, things break and people can get things wrong. Just don’t get freaked out by it. People can easily get annoyed instead of trying to fix the problem. Remember to always be courteous and fair. And always do the right thing.

Be First to Download & Rebrand the White Paper

You now have full distribution rights to this white-paper. You can sell it for any amount or give it away to build your mailing list. You could even use it for ad-swaps. The only condition is that you do not alter the report in any way.

To really take advantage of this white paper, you need to replace the links with your own so you can get the kudos and earn affiliate commissions when you give it away.

I’m giving away just 10 copies of the rebrand rights and there’s only 1 way to get ‘em -

Leave a comment below telling me why you deserve to be the first to get access to the full report and rebrand rights. The best 10 comments will win and I’ll announce the winners by email

Ad-Swap White Paper pdf

[UPDATE] Thanks for all your awesome feedback. I’ve decided to open this up so everybody gets a copy plus rebrand rights for a limited time only.

Click here to access the rebranding software →

* Don’t forget to leave a comment below telling me what you like most about the Ad-Swap White Paper.

Welcome back. You must like it here so SHARE THE MOJO by adding a comment and sharing this page.

{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }

Marilyn L Martin July 19, 2010 at 6:44 PM

HI Marc,

First let me commend you on writing a very good and informative report. I can see you spent a lot of time working on this and I appreciate you sharing this with everyone. I do a lot of advertising because I have quite a few sites, but I have not heard of Ad Swaps before. I think this is a fantastic idea and I would love to be one of the people that gets the rights to the report and start Ad Swapping.

I can see this would make doing advertising much easier because I would not have to constantly go to all these different sites to advertise. I would have someone advertising for me which would save me so much time not having to go to the different sites, but instead advertise on my sites, which I am at all the time anyway and throw up an ad for someone else. I just love this concept!

Please consider me to give the rights to your report.

Thanks!

Marilyn Martin

Reply

Marc July 19, 2010 at 9:17 PM

Awesome Marilyn,
Hope you put some of this stuff into action.

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Jay Orban July 19, 2010 at 8:19 PM

Great post adswaps are the way to go I am hitting them hard lately trying to build my list. I do use safeswaps they are a great service it pays for itself over and over again. Thanks for the post, Jay!
Jay Orban´s last blog ..Want To Earn A Living Online Get Off Your ass And Work For ItMy ComLuv Profile

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Marc July 19, 2010 at 9:16 PM

Thanks for the comment, Jay
I edited your name and put your real name in there.
Please don’t use keywords as your name – it’s just not cool ;)

You still get to keep the link and CommentLuv gives you a second link too.

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Glen England July 19, 2010 at 8:21 PM

I enjoyed your chapter. It contains reasonable and functional ideas that anyone can follow. I also was glad to see you had set in links for your recommendations. Good luck!

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Valerie Lothian July 19, 2010 at 8:34 PM

Hi there Marc,

It’s great that you put togther such a relative and detailed article and Whitepaper regarding adswaps.

I’m a firm believer in this method of email list building and have seen the power of fast multiples regarding sign-ups to an adswap list.

Personally, the most important aspect is in finding a reliable adswap partner that you can do multiple swaps with over time, as they can be a trusted partner in mutually building your lists, which develops both businesses.

Finding trustworthy partners is paramount, so congratulations for publishing this timely piece.

I believe that I should be one of the first to get access to your full report with rebranded resale rights, as I look forward to reading it and increasing my current knowledge, on conducting even more profitable swaps.

Thanks again!

Regards,

Valerie Lothian

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Neil Marsh July 19, 2010 at 8:39 PM

Mi Marc…

Adswaps are a great way to build your list, I know as I have done it with great success…sometimes adding 100+ subscribers to my list per mailing, plus making sales on the way.

If you not doing it you should be…

Well done Marc for writing this.

Speak soon

Neil Marsh
Neil Marsh´s last blog ..Ready To Source Your Discount ProductsMy ComLuv Profile

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Sharavanan July 19, 2010 at 9:02 PM

Hi Marc………

Adswaps are a great way to build your list.I Know That And You Have Put In All Of Your Work And Done A Great Work.Its Is The Best Way To Build Your List.

I Really Believe In This Type Of E-mail Marketing.

I Just Love This Concept And It Will Give A Lot Traffic.

Great Job Done Marc.

It’s Your Wish To Give The Re branding Rights But It’s Really A Great Method And Great Job Done.I Would Like To Receive It But If You Want Give Me.

Great Job Done.

Reply

Mike McCormick July 19, 2010 at 9:03 PM

Thanks Marc for this article. I have a hard time finding good content
related to this subject when searching most of the time.

This simple list building formula can be summed up in two words: ad swap.

Your advertisement’s goal should be to get as many subscribers possible from the other eZine publisher’s mailing list to sign up for yours.

The result: you grow your mailing list. This method does not require money, which means it can be done for free. And the return of subscribers? Infinite!

You only have to do this with one eZine publisher at least once, because his subscribers who are also your subscribers can now be followed up within the boundaries of your mailing list.

Perform ad swaps with as many eZine publishers as possible and soon, you will have a huge mailing list of your own – built free.

[EDITED BY MARC]

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Marc July 22, 2010 at 11:33 PM

If you’re gonna use stock content for a reply, make sure you delete the “word count” tag so at least you don’t get caught out.

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June July 19, 2010 at 9:34 PM

Looking forward to more great advise from you to help my business make its presents on the internet. June

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Victoria July 19, 2010 at 9:59 PM

Hi Marc,
I like the way you laid out this subject and I learned a few new things to! Thanks!

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joe July 19, 2010 at 10:12 PM

Great info, I really enjoyed it. I really need to get into safe swaps .

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John July 20, 2010 at 2:42 AM

Hello Marc,

It’s really great to find your page and knowing more about ad swap. I’ve been using this ad swap technique for almost 7 months now, but your article has a lot more to contribute about this method in list building. I really love to have one of your White Paper copies. I’m sure it’s more than just a free report and it will make a better source for a good list building tool.

Hope, you can just extend even just 1 copy of it. Thank you so much in advance.

All the best,

John Abello

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Marc July 20, 2010 at 11:00 PM

Glad you liked the article John,

You’ll definitely like the whitepaper when I release it. It’s definitely better than anything else I’ve read on ad-swaps. I like to keep things Punchy and powerful.

Reply

Andrew Stark July 20, 2010 at 8:25 PM

Hi Marc

Joined Safe-Swap, not sure what to do with it yet, but assuming it makes me more than $25 each month you’ll continue to get commission from me.

Anyway the reason why I should get rebrand rights is that I will actually take the time to create a unique squeezepage and use it. Here’s an example of something I created for the SafelistTactics report – http://www.listbuildingexpert.com/SafelistMarketing

You can use this as the mailing for the mojo report contest, or perhaps you prefer the paid option of my buildabiggerlist site?

Any way this looks like it will be a cool report and hopefully I’ll be in your top 10 again.

Andrew
Andrew Stark´s last blog ..In depth- “Underground Traffic Blueprints” reviewIn depth- “Underground Traffic Blueprints” reviewMy ComLuv Profile

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Marc July 20, 2010 at 10:56 PM

Great stuff mate.

That’s a killer squeeze page you built there – how’s it converting for you?

I reckon you’ll love Safe-Swaps. I’ve added over 1200 new subscribers to my community using just that 1 site.

And yep…I’ll send out your mailing soon from the last affiliate contest I ran.

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Peter Downs July 21, 2010 at 3:52 AM

Yes, I’ve been adswapping for some time – you do need ‘due diligence’ with your adswap partners – majority of people are good but inevitably you do come across people simply trying to sponge off your list.

Other key learnings (1) offer ‘more’ than expected and ‘more’ than your partner. That way you can attract people with bigger lists. (2) offer to mail twice to boost optins (3) have a qulaity ‘uncluttered’ page and (4) provide feedback post swap – it’s amazing how many people do not do this!

Sounds like an interesting White Paper! Anyone know why ‘White’?

Peter
Peter Downs´s last blog ..Make Good Money Online – Learn From The Guru’sMy ComLuv Profile

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Marc July 22, 2010 at 11:30 PM

Great tips Peter. A couple of these are covered in the rest of the downloadable report but number 4 really stands out. Feedback is key.
Thanks again,
Marc

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Felix Miranda July 21, 2010 at 2:57 PM

Hi, Marc.
As all of us begining on the internet (doing business) should know, branding is a way of having presence on the web and if we do that by rebranding quality stuff like yours our presence will be SO profitable. But firt one of the most important thing is to learn the best way how to go on the business.

Thank you and have a great day.

Felix Miranda Quesada
Costa Rica, C.A.

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Jess Webb August 5, 2010 at 3:24 PM

Hi Marc!
These are great tips about how to do successful Ad-swaps! I will probably be looking at doing something like this in the future, so will certainly keep you in mind. :)
Jess Webb´s last blog ..How Easy are You to Connect WithMy ComLuv Profile

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